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iPad Pro As 2-in-1 Notebook Tablet

What’s not all the rage these days? Tablets. iPads. Apple’s original iPad’s sales soared for a few years but as large screen smartphones became en vogue, sales declined, then stabilized.

The only category of traditional personal computers that seems to be growing are the hybrids– notebook PCs which double up as a tablet. Those are the 2-in-1 Windows PCs. Is it a tablet with an attachable keyboard? Or, a notebook with a detachable keyboard?

Therein lies the difference between Apple’s take on tablets which can act as a notebook, vs. Microsoft’s Surface line and copycats which are notebooks which have a few tablet touchscreen functions.

Does this look familiar?

For about $700 you get an Intel Inside, specifically the Core M (similar to what you find in the entry-level MacBook model, but at a much higher price point– with a keyboard and no touchscreen), and 128GB of storage.

The keyboard an pen are extra, but other models come with faster Intel chips, more RAM, and double the SSD storage. An i7 equipped Surface with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD prices out at $2,377 on Amazon (more from Microsoft).

Is it a notebook without a keyboard? Or, is it a tablet that runs Windows? Both. But usage seems to be more notebook than tablet, and that’s mostly the opposite of how Apple’s iconic iPads are used. Tablet first, notebook afterthought.

The difference between Apple’s take on the tablet and Microsoft’s take on the tablet is obvious. iPad is a tablet that can be used as a notebook– add a keyboard. Microsoft’s new Surface 2-in-1 hybrids are notebooks that run Windows 10 and Windows apps. They get used more as notebooks than tablets. Windows 10’s touchscreen functions are different than Apple’s iPad Pro.

Differences? Windows 10 vs. iOS 11. iPad has a larger selection of applications available, but Windows apps can be more powerful. With a keyboard, the Surface can be configured as a full-fledged Windows-powered notebook (with an option to be a tablet for awhile). iPad Pro needs a keyboard to become note-book like, but is not as powerful as a Mac, which can also run Windows, various flavors of Linux and Unix; all within macOS if needed.

One is a tablet which can be a notebook. The other is a notebook which can be a tablet.